Deep skin infections erupt at the surface in pus-filled pockets called skin boils. Boils, or abscesses, are the visible signs that your body is fighting off a bacterial attack. Mild boils can often be treated at home, but more severe infections require medical attention. If left untreated, boils can lead to widespread infection.
Appearance
Skin boils can occur anywhere on the body. The website Healthy-Skin-Guide describes boils beginning as a red, tender area. As the infection progresses, the tender area hardens and the center fills with pus, a mixture of white blood cells, bacteria and proteins. The pus accumulates beneath the skin. The pus pocket may burst and drain naturally or it may be lanced by a health-care provider.
Causes
Bacterial infections cause boils to form, but the infection can result from a number of causes, says Healthy-Skin-Guide. For example, an ingrown hair or a splinter or other foreign body under the skin may become infected. Any break in the skin from a large cut to small cracks resulting from dry skin may allow bacteria to grow. Boils also arise from clogged sweat glands, poor personal hygiene or weakened immune systems, says Skin Boil Guide.
Types
The bacterium Staphylococcus aureus causes a type of boil called furuncles or carbuncles, according to the website SkinBoilsHelp.com. A severe form of deep-seated acne that clogs oil ducts causes severe cystic acne. Clogged sweat glands in the armpits lead to hidradenitis suppurativa, and boils occurring in the creases of the buttocks are referred to as pilonidal cysts.
Treatment
Apply hot packs or compresses to mild boils, suggests Skin Boil Guide. The heat helps stimulate circulation to bring more white blood cells to the infected area. Do not attempt to lance or prick a pus pocket at home. The infection spreads easily to other parts of the body and to other people, so lancing the boil should only be done by a health care provider under sterile conditions. Severe boils may require draining and a course of oral antibiotics. Boils in the armpits require surgery to remove the infected glands, says SkinBoilsHelp.com. If left untreated, the bacteria in a boil may cause infection throughout the body.
Recurrent Boils
Recurrent boils may signify an underlying medical condition, explains Skin Boil Guide. Deficiencies of vitamins C and E or the mineral zinc may cause recurrent boils. Additionally, uncontrolled diabetes or a compromised immune system may lead to recurrent boils.
